Mac's Picks is a collection of family friendly interesting and useful sites, updated weekly. These sites may be search engines, medical resources, household hints, educational resources, recipe sites, sites I call "head scratchers", and/or new sites dealing with all kinds of things of use to the general internet community. To find the criteria I use, simply click on the "Why and How Info" link on the right side of this page.

This page is updated on a weekly basis, each Tuesday evening Australian (Queensland) time (GMT + 9 hours according to the world clock). Please come back and visit often.

Important Note: If you are returning to my page, welcome back! Please click your "Refresh" or "Reload" button on the top of your Internet browser to ensure you are seeing the current week's page of my "Picks of the Week". Also, I would love for you to make my site your home page. Simply click on Tools - Options in Explorer, or Edit - Preferences in Netscape, and click Use Current and it's done.

Isn't it strange how many holidays of almost any culture are celebrated around food of one kind or another? If you have a particular holiday that you celebrate, and you need a special dish to mark the occasion, have a look at the Cooks Recipes Recipes For All Occasions! Find Holiday Recipes at CooksRecipes.com site. It seems to have the majority of them covered and wow, are there some good looking ones. Have a look.

The younger folk among us seem to have different understandings of what the law should be and how it should be practiced. The Lawstuff.org site takes them step by step through what the law in their area of Australia means and how it applies to them. Just pick your Australian state and go from there. Actually thinking of it, adults should have a look here as well *smiles*

I've spoken to a few friends in the past week who are experiencing winter or summer colds, depending on where on the globe they are. The question always arises "Do cough, cold and flu remedies work"? This site seems to have some information to answer that question. But then again, everyone will have their own opinion I'm sure *smile*.

If you're a frequent visitor I'm sure you know that I encourage blogging and try to point out some useful and interesting blogs on the net. I found the eleblog in particular, to be one of those of interest. It's about elephant welfare - protection against ivory poaching, that sort of thing, and it's ongoing. One would think that the world population had, by now, ceased using things like ivory when there are so many substitutes that do not endanger a species of magnificent beasts such as these. Have a look and spread the word. No More Ivory.

Speaking of which, zoos are still loved, and in most cases have wonderful animal protection ideals in place. One way to have a look from your own home is the Zoos Worldwide - Zoo Cams site. It lists various zoos around the world with links to any webcams they may have onsite. It can be a lovely teaching experience for the young to learn about animals in this way. Why not take yours on a webcam trip of discovery?

Here in Australia, when I want to find my way from one place to another, I visit the whereis.com - Search Australian Maps site. Just pick where you are, and where you wish to go and it shows you where your destination is in relationship to you, even with guides to get you there. Even I can't get lost this way. *smile*

Have you ever treated yourself to a day at a health spa? No, I didn't mean the type that runs you around a circuit. I mean the type where you have a sauna, a massage, maybe some stretching, a facial, your nails done … you get the picture. Well most folk can't afford that, but what you might be able to afford is to make the things found at the Spa Beauty Recipes - Kitchen Crafts 'n' More site, and then pamper yourself at least with those. Nice idea and doesn't look all that difficult. Enjoy.

Being here on the net is just like being in any other society. There are rules of conduct (or should be), and manners that should be observed. If you don't know them you should, and you can find out about them by going to the NetManners.com Your Source for Netiquette, E-mail Etiquette and Advice on Proper Technology Use site and having a read. It really is full of good advice for any net user.

One of the people who really knows her way around the net and around technology in a non-geek way is Kim Komando. Kim has her own radio show, and if you can't get it where you are for some reason, at least you can listen to the archives online by going to the Komando.com, Website for The Kim Komando Radio Show® site and having a listen. This is, after all, one of the Top 10 Programs in the US on radio. Now that says folk keep coming back. Have a listen and see what you think.

If you are looking for a biography about some particular individual, you might find it at the Lives, the Biography Resource site. There sure are a lot of them here so have a look. Never know your luck in the big city. *smiles*

Most folk would agree that there are difficulties in behaviour, learning or mood that can affect children and adults - at home, at school or in the workplace. These just might be the result of what we eat might they not? Is this really true, or someone's fantasy? Is there any credible research happening in this area of nutrition so that all of us might better our lot? There is, and if you hop over to the Food and Behaviour Research Home site and browse around, you'll see most of it. Indeed you can also sign up for their newsletter that will keep you informed of anything new in this area of knowledge. Time we all started looking at our diet I think, and this might be one place to do that.

Are you under attack from alien thought waves? Is your mobile or cell phone a device that is designed by an alien civilization to ultimately fry your brain? How far would you go to protect yourself from this terrible menace surrounding us all? (Removes tongue from cheek) Umm, maybe you should have a look at the Antipixel Blog Weird House site (yes, I know it's another blog) but look and see if you would go to this length or not. You can even leave a comment. Many have. I think I'll just keep going. After all, it's not affecting me, affecting me, affecting me ...

Rebecca Game of "Digital Women - Women with their modems running...", is a graphic designer who is superb to say the least. Rebecca designed this "new look" web site specifically for me, and I can't praise her work enough. Her site, dedicated to women on the net, is worth seeing and bookmarking for future reference. If you are looking for links of interest to women, please visit her site. And if you need the best graphic designer on the planet, I seriously can't recommend her more highly. Oh yes, and when you visit her site, tell her Mac sent you. Thank you Rebecca. I am eternally grateful for your assistance and expertise. ;-)